Profar, Gallo Remind Us to Temper Enthusiasm About Mazara

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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Nomar Mazara #30 of the Texas Rangers hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 10, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Here we go … again?

Look, it was exciting to watch Nomar Mazara’s dazzling debut on Sunday. Hard to not to watch his three-hit, mammoth-homer debut against Angels’ ace Jered Weaver and get amped about the Rangers’ future.

But, please, hold your horses. Haven’t we learned anything yet?

Mazara is no doubt the Rangers’ left-fielder (or perhaps right?) of the future. But still two weeks shy of his 21st birthday, he’s not ready to be anointed their savior of the present. Sunday was impressive, no doubt. Mazara was patient at the plate and had two singles off Weaver before launching a 443-foot homer for their only run of the game.

But it’s too early for a parade. And if so, I’m going to rain on it anyway. Why?

Because Jurickson Profar. Because Joey Gallo. Because David Clyde. Because it’s too much, too soon.

Profar homered in his first game back in 2012, raising his bar of expectations to irrational heights. A couple shoulder injuries later and he’s still in the minors, yet to scratch his major-league potential. Then last summer there was Gallo, with three hits, a homer and four RBI in his first game as a Ranger. So blown away were Rangers fans that after he struck out in the 6th inning of his debut, they gave Gallo a standing ovation.

Today he, like Profar, is in Round Rock.

Without an injury to Shin-Soo Choo, Mazara would be as well. But now, for the next month or so, he’ll likely get the majority of starts. He’s not ready. But is, like a lot of Rangers’ prospects, ready to tease.

Clyde was the 18-year-old pitcher fresh out of high school in ’73. Pudge Rodriguez the 19-year-old can’t-miss catcher. Profar. Gallo. And now, Mazara.

In the future the Rangers will be led by those young players. But that plan doesn’t call for that time to come this year. On Sunday we were teased. Let’s not get again be totally fooled.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.